Yeah, I’m sure that we’re all tired of hearing about it, but the debate rages on. Just this past weekend, not too far from Memphis, Anthony Hervey, a black man, was run off the road by another vehicle and was killed in the crash. His passenger, Arlene Barnum, survived. Here’s the twist: Hervey and Barnum were returning from a pro-flag rally in Birmingham, Alabama, and the occupants of the other vehicle were allegedly black. What bothers me is that just because Mr. Hervey saw the flag differently, these young men felt the need to take action against him. What happened to listening to what someone else has to say and having some form of civil discourse?

To their credit, NBC picked up this story, along with Jackson’s Clarion-Ledger and Memphis local news. But where is the outrage? Do all black lives matter, or just the ones whose views you agree with? I’m of the belief that all lives matter equally, no matter what. I think most other people are too. As far as politicians go, I think it’s pretty sad if a black man’s life has value only if political capital can be gained from his death.

I guess there’s no outrage over this because Hervey was a supporter of the flag, which contradicts the media’s narrative of the flag as a symbol of hatred towards blacks. While it is undeniable that the KKK (mis)uses this flag, they have also misused the American flag:

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In case you’re wondering, no, I don’t own a rebel flag and never have, even though to me it merely represents regional pride. I guess the point I’m trying to make here is that issues aren’t always black-and-white as we sometimes (literally) make them out to be. Do your own research, don’t just listen to what CNN or Fox tells you or go by what some internet meme says.

I’ll leave you with this video. It gives many peoples’ views on the flag and what it means to them. Ultimately, I want the flag to be a symbol of my corner of the country that people of all races can be proud of, a symbol of what we stand for and have overcome.

This has been a rambling post, I know, but I just want to get my opinions and beliefs out there. Views I believe that a lot of people (who aren’t racists) share. It feels good to get it all out, so if you made it this far, thanks for sticking with me. As always, civil discussion is welcomed. This is the Cigar Lounge, not Gawker FP.